Top Causes of Truck Accidents in San Antonio

San Antonio is a thriving city with major highways like I-10, I-35, and Loop 410 serving as critical commercial routes. Every day, large trucks travel these roads transporting goods across Texas and the nation. But with increased truck traffic comes increased risk—and when an 18-wheeler is involved in a crash, the results can be devastating.

Understanding the leading causes of truck accidents in San Antonio can help you stay safer on the road—and, if you’ve been injured, help you determine who may be responsible for your losses.

Why Truck Accidents Are More Severe Than Car Accidents

Due to their size, weight, and limited maneuverability, commercial trucks pose a unique threat to passenger vehicles. A fully loaded truck can weigh 80,000 pounds—20 to 30 times the weight of a standard car. When a crash happens, victims often suffer catastrophic injuries including traumatic brain injuries (TBI), spinal damage, broken bones, or even wrongful death.

Trucking companies and insurers act quickly after a crash to limit their liability. That’s why it’s critical to speak with an attorney as soon as possible. Learn more in our guide to truck crash liability in San Antonio.

Driver Fatigue

Federal regulations limit how long commercial drivers can be on the road without rest. However, truckers often face pressure to meet tight deadlines—and fatigue remains one of the top causes of serious trucking accidents.

Drowsy drivers have slower reaction times, reduced awareness, and impaired judgment. In San Antonio, fatigue-related crashes are especially common on long-haul corridors like I-10 and I-35.

An attorney can investigate whether the driver exceeded legal hours-of-service and whether the trucking company failed to enforce safety policies.

Distracted Driving

Truck drivers spend hours behind the wheel and may use that time to handle dispatch systems, GPS devices, or phone calls. Unfortunately, even a brief distraction can cause a major crash.

Examples of distracted driving include:

Texting or scrolling through a phone
Eating or drinking while driving
Adjusting radio or in-cab controls
Using onboard navigation or communication systems

Distracted driving is preventable, and victims of these accidents may be entitled to full compensation for their injuries, lost income, and pain and suffering.

Speeding and Reckless Driving

San Antonio highways often see heavy traffic, especially during rush hour or near construction zones. When truck drivers speed or engage in aggressive driving, they increase the chances of a high-impact collision.

Large trucks require more time and distance to stop—meaning speeding significantly reduces the driver’s ability to respond to sudden traffic changes. This is a common issue on Loop 1604, where sudden merging traffic meets high-speed flow.

Poor Vehicle Maintenance

Trucking companies are legally required to inspect and maintain their vehicles. But when companies cut corners to save time or money, mechanical issues can cause serious crashes.

Common maintenance-related failures include:

Brake failure
Tire blowouts
Steering problems
Malfunctioning lights or signals

If you suspect vehicle failure contributed to your accident, your legal team can examine maintenance records, inspection logs, and service history to determine fault.

Improperly Loaded or Overloaded Trucks

When a truck’s cargo isn’t properly balanced or secured, it can shift during transit and cause the vehicle to tip, jackknife, or lose control. Overloaded trucks are harder to stop and may cause greater damage in a crash.

Third-party freight or loading companies may be responsible in these cases—making the investigation and liability more complex.

Driving Under the Influence

Federal regulations require random drug and alcohol testing for commercial drivers. Still, some truckers operate under the influence of:

Alcohol
Illegal drugs
Prescription medication
Over-the-counter medication that causes drowsiness

When intoxication is involved, the injured party may be eligible for punitive damages in addition to standard compensation. These damages punish the at-fault party and help prevent future violations.

Inadequate Driver Training

Operating a semi-truck or 18-wheeler requires specialized training. If a driver is not properly trained, the risk of making a critical mistake increases dramatically.

Examples of training-related failures include:

Misjudging turns or curves
Failing to use trailer brakes correctly
Poor handling during poor weather or road conditions
Not understanding local traffic laws

Texas law requires companies to properly vet and train their drivers. When they don’t, they may be held liable for any resulting accidents.

Who May Be Liable After a Truck Accident?

Unlike a typical car crash, truck accident claims often involve multiple parties, each potentially responsible for your injuries:

The truck driver
The trucking company or carrier
A third-party maintenance provider
A cargo loading company
A manufacturer (if a mechanical defect played a role)

Your San Antonio truck accident lawyer can identify all liable parties and ensure your claim is properly filed against each.

What to Do After a Truck Accident in San Antonio

If you’re involved in a trucking collision, take the following steps to protect your health and your legal rights:

Call 911 and report the accident
Get medical treatment, even for minor symptoms
Document the scene, including photos of vehicles, skid marks, and road conditions
Collect contact info for the truck driver, witnesses, and company, if available
Avoid speaking to the trucking company’s insurance without legal representation
Contact a San Antonio personal injury attorney as soon as possible

Your lawyer will act quickly to preserve key evidence like black box data, logbooks, dashcam footage, and witness statements.

What Compensation Can You Recover?

If you were injured in a trucking crash, you may be entitled to:

Economic Damages:

Emergency and hospital bills
Follow-up medical care and rehab
Lost wages and reduced earning potential
Vehicle repair or replacement

Non-Economic Damages:

Pain and suffering
Emotional distress
Loss of enjoyment of life
Permanent disability or disfigurement

Punitive Damages:

Awarded in rare cases of gross negligence or reckless conduct, such as DUI or repeated safety violations.

How Long Do You Have to File a Claim?

In Texas, you typically have two years from the date of the accident to file a personal injury claim. However, trucking accidents involve time-sensitive evidence that can be lost or overwritten quickly.

To protect your rights, speak with an attorney as soon as possible.

Why Choose Zinda Law Group?

Zinda Law Group has handled thousands of complex personal injury and trucking cases across Texas, including many in the San Antonio area. When you hire our firm, you receive:

Free case evaluations
No fees unless we win
Responsive legal support
Trial-ready attorneys with trucking litigation experience
Access to expert witnesses and investigators

Our firm is led by Jack Zinda, a nationally recognized trial attorney committed to helping accident victims get the justice they deserve.

Speak With a Truck Accident Lawyer in San Antonio Today

If you or a loved one has been injured in a trucking accident, don’t wait to take action. You may be entitled to significant compensation, and an attorney can help you hold negligent parties accountable.

Call 800-863-5312 or visit https://www.zdfirm.com/contact-us/ to schedule your free, no-obligation consultation with a San Antonio truck accident lawyer today.